i thought i brought four -- ford a credible and strong record results. -- forward a credible and strong record of results. >> monday, president obama began his tour through the midwest eight speaking on u.s. jobs and the economy. what live coverage at 12:45 eastern. monday, buddy roemer is holding a news conference.

it is live at 10:00 a.m. eastern. what more video of the candidates. see what they're saying in track the latest contributions with the c-span website for it campaign 2012. and how to navigate the political landscape. they recall parliament from the recess for an emergency debate. the announced to members that homeowners and business owners affected by the riots can receive compensation for their losses. members ask the prime minister' about harsher

sentencing and mobile technology. this is a little over an hour. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i would like to make statement, thanking you for returning. one of the most important events in our country -- it is right that we show a united front. i am grateful to the speaker for the constructive approach he has taken. i have tried to speak with many members whose constituency have been affected. i would like to particularly thank the member of tottenham. but we have seen is unacceptable. i am sure the house will join me in condemning it. keeping people safe is the first duty of government. the country has been shocked by scenes of looting, violence, vandalism, and thieving.

it is criminality, pure and simple. there is no excuse for it. we have seen houses and shops torched. we've seen police and officers assaulted and fire crews attacked as they tried to put out fire. we've seen people rubbing others as they lie bleeding and injured in the street. we have seen three innocent people run over and killed in birmingham. we will not put up with this in our country. we will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets. we will do whatever it takes to restore law and order and rebuild our communities. first, we must be clear about the sequence of events. in a week ago today, a 29-year- old man named mark duggan shot dead by police in tottenham. i can assure the house this is being investigated thoroughly

and independently. we must get to the bottom of what happened, and we will. initially, there were peaceful demonstrations. understandably, and appropriately, the police were cautious about how they dealt with this. however, this was used as an excuse by opportunists thugs and gangs, first in tottenham, then across london and in other cities. it is not a causal link. it is preposterous for anyone to suggest people looting over the weekend were in any way doing so because of the death of mark duggan. young people stealing flat screen televisions and burning shops -- that was not about politics or protest. it was about theft. in recent days, individual police officers have shown incredible bravery and have worked in some cases around the clock without a break.

they deserve our support and thanks. what became clear earlier this week was that there were simply too few police deployed on to our streets. the tactics they were using were not working. police chiefs have been frank with me about why this happened. initially, police treated the situation as a public order issue, rather than one of crime. the truth is that the police have been facing a new and unique challenge, with different people doing the same thing, basically looting, in different places, but all at the same time period to respond to this situation, we are acting decisively to restore order on our streets, to support the victims of this violence, and to look at the deeper problems that have led to young people carrying out such appalling criminality. let me take each in turn. following the meetings of cobra, which i chaired on tuesday and wednesday and again this morning, we have taken action to ensure more robust policing.

because of decisions made by the metropolitan police commissioner and other chips up and down the country, there are more police on the streets, more being arrested, and more criminals being prosecuted. the metropolitan police increased the number deployed in london from 6000 to 16,000 officers. this number will remain through the weekend. we have seen large increases of officers and other affected areas. lead has been cancelled. police have been bused across the country to areas of greatest need. many businesses are quite rightly released special constables to help. they have performing a pleasantly as well. more than 1200 people have been arrested across the country. we are capturing images of the perpetrators on cc tv, so even if they have not yet been arrested, their faces are known and will not escape the law.

no human rights concerns about publishing these photographs would get in the way of bringing these criminals to justice. anyone charged with violent disorder and other serious offenses should expect to be remanded in custody, not lead back on the streets. anyone convicted should expect to go to jail. courts in manchester and the west midlands will have been sitting through the night and will do so as long as it proves necessary. the crown courts are now starting to deal with the most serious cases. we are keeping under constant review whether the courts have

the necessary sentencing powers they need. we will act if necessary. as a result of the robust measures that have been taken, progress is being made in restoring order to the streets of london and other cities around our country. nothing should be off the table. every contingency should be looked at. the police are authorized to use battering rams. well it would not be appropriate now, we have in place contingency plans for water cannon to be available at 24 hours' notice. some people have raised the issue of the army. the acting commissioner of the metropolitan police said he would rather be the last man left in scotland yard before he asked for military support. that is the right attitude, but it is the government's responsibility to make sure every contingency is looked at, including actions the army might take that would free up police for the front line. everyone taking these terrific actions will be struck by how they were influenced by social media. free flow of and permission can be used for good or for ill. we are working with police and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating when we know they

are plotting violence, disorder, and criminality. i will also ask the police whether they need new powers, specifically on face masks. currently, they can only ask for these to be removed in a specific location and for a limited time. we will give the police the discretion to require the removal of face coverings under any circumstances where there is reasonable suspicion that they are related to criminal activity. we are also looking at the use of existing dispersal powers and whether a wider power of curfew is necessary. whenever the police face a new threat, they must have the freedom and confidence and to change tactics as necessary. this government will make sure they have the backing and political support to do so. the fight back has begun. there will be no complacency and we will not stop until this violence and thuggery is defeated and law and order is restored on our streets. let me turn to the innocent victims.

no one will forget the images of the woman jumping from a burning building, or a furniture shop that survived the bullets but has been burned to the ground. everyone would have been impressed by the brave words of a farmer in birmingham whose son was tragically and brutally run over and killed. shops, businesses, homes -- too many have been vandalized or destroyed. i give the people this promise. will help to repair the damage, get your business is back up and running, and support your communities. on repairing the damage is, any individual, homeowner, or business who suffered damage to or loss of their buildings or property as a result of rioting can seek compensation under the riot damages act even if uninsured.

the government will ensure they have the funds they need to meet any legitimate claims. whereas normally claims must be received within 14 days, which will extend it to 42 days. the society of british insurers said they expect claims will be dealt with as quickly and constructively as possible. on supporting business, we are today setting up a new 20 million pound high street support scheme to help affected businesses get back up and running. the government will enable local authorities to grant rate relief by funding at least three- quarters of their costs. we will defer tax payments through time to pay and other practical support. houses and businesses that have been most badly damaged, we have instructed to immediately stop liability for canceled tax and business right. a specific point was raised with me yesterday that planning regulations make it difficult for shops to put protective shutters. we will weed out unnecessary regulations to make sure businesses can get back on their feet and feel secure on our high streets as soon as possible.

i can confirm that the bellwind scheme will be operational. we are today establishing a recovery scheme to provide additional support to councils in making areas safe, clean, and clear. the government will also meet the cost of emergency accommodation for families made homeless by these disturbances. there are details of all these schemes available. the situation continues to evolve, and we will keep any additional support under close review. finally, let me turn to the deeper problems. responsibility for crime always lies with the criminal. these people were all volunteers. they did not have to do what they did. they must suffer the consequences. but crime has a context, and we must not shy away from it. there is a major problem in our

society with children growing up not knowing the difference between right and wrong. this is not about poverty. it is about a culture that glorifies violence and shows disrespect for authority, which says everything about rights but nothing about responsibility. in many cases, the parents of these children, if they are still around, do not care who their children are around or who they are with, let alone what they are doing. the potential consequences have been clear for too long, without enough action being taken. there is no one step that can be taken. but we need a benefit system that awards work. we need discipline in our schools. we need action to deal with destructive families. we need a criminal justice system that scores a clear line between right and wrong. these are all actions necessary to help mend our broken society. at the heart of violence it's the issue of street gangs, territorial and incredibly violent, mostly composed of

young boys from dysfunctional homes. they earn money to crime, particularly drugs, and are bound together by impose loyalty to an authoritarian leader. they have blighted our state with murders and a tax on bystanders. there is some evidence they have been behind the coordination of the attacks on police and looting that has followed. i want us to use the record of success from cities like boston in the usa and from police in scotland who have done this by in gauging the police and voluntary sector in local government. i want this to be a national party. we have announced a gang injunctions. we're going to use them across the country for children and adults. there are further sanctions available. local authorities and landlords already have powers to evict the perpetrators from social

housing. some authorities are doing this. i want to see others follow their lead. we will see whether these powers need to be strengthened further. i have asked the home secretary to work with colleagues on across government program of action to deal with this gang problem. i also believe we should learn lessons from others who have faced similar problems. we're discussing how we can go further getting to grips with gangs with people like bill bratton, former commissioner in new york and los angeles. there were people who thought that it shop windows were smashed it was ok to steal. these people will have to face the full consequences of their actions. in the past few days, we have seen a range of emotions sweep this country. anger, fear, frustration, despair, sadness, and a

determined resolve that we will not let a violent few beat us. we saw this result in the people who gathered in clapham and manchester with brooms. we saw it with hundreds of people who stood guard outside the southhall temple, protecting it from vandalism. for the people who obey the rules and are the majority in our country, i say the fight back has begun. we will protect you. if you had your livelihood and property damage, we will protect you. we are on your side. for the lawless minority of criminals who have taken what they can get, we will track you down, we will find you, we will charge you, we will punish you. you will pay for what you have done. we need to show the world, which has looked on appalled, that the violence you have seen on our streets is not representative of our country,

nor our young people. we will develop a stronger sense of responsibility in every town, every street, and every state. a year away from the elections, we need to show them that britain does not destroy. it builds. it does not give up, but stands up. it does not look back, but forward. i commend this statement to the house. >> mr. speaker, can i think the prime minister for his statement? and can i think him for his decision to suggest the unity of the parliament that was recalled.

whatever we disagree on month by month, today we stand shoulder to shoulder, united against the vandalism and violence we have seen on our streets. the victims are the innocent people who have seen their homes and businesses destroyed, their communities damage, and their confidence about their own safety undermined. there can be no excuses, no justification. this behavior has disgusted us all. it cannot be allowed to stand. we will not allow it to stand. i want to join the prime minister in mourning the loss of lives we have seen, including those killed in london and birmingham. our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died. we stand with the true face of britain, the britain of which we are all proud.

i also want to thank our brave police men and women throughout this country for the work they have been doing on our behalf, and all our emergency services. we salute them for their courage, their dedication, and willingness yet again to put themselves in harm's way for all of us and all our communities. thanks to them, a degree of order has been reestablished on our streets. but from all sides of this house, we know what the public want and are entitled to -- the return to normality as well as order. normality does not mean shops having to shut at 3:00 p.m. because they fear of looting. normality does not mean rushing home because you are scared to be on the street. normality does not mean being careful in your own home. they want to have the most fundamental of all liberties, the ability to go about their business without fear. they have a right to expect it, and we have a responsibility to make it happen. mr. speaker, to do this, parliament needs to do its job, uniting against the violence and being the place where we debate frankly all the issues involved -- how we have got here, what it says about britain, and what the response should be. on policing, on the army, i

agree with what the prime minister said, which is this is a job for the police. can he say what functions he thinks the army may be able to do to relieve pressure on the police? can he also confirm that the additional operational costs the police are now facing will be funded from the treasury reserve and not place existing pressure on an already stressed budget? can he also confirm that the increased presence on our streets will remain beyond the weekend and call the police can be confident the trouble will not return?

the events of the last few days have been a stark reminder to us all that police on our streets make our communities safer and make the public feel safer. the public reaction to a visible police presence -- can the prime minister understand why it is not appropriate to go forward with certain programs and cuts? will he think more about this issue? the public are clear they want to see swift, effective, and tough action to send a message about the penalties for violence. we must see swift progress in these cases. can the prime minister confirm there is capacity in the courts to deal with cases quickly throughout the trial process, including when people get to trial? it is right that the crown prosecution service is taking into account the aggravating circumstances within the criminal acts took place in recent days. does the prime minister agree that magistrates and judges need to have those circumstances at the front of their mind, so those found guilty of this disgraceful behavior receive the tough sentences they deserve and the public expects? as the prime minister said, we have also been reminded about the importance of cc tv in capturing those responsible.

will he undertake to look again at his proposals for cc tv to be sure they in no way hinder bring criminals to justice? we need everything back on their feet at and operating as normal. i want to pay tribute to the heroism of volunteers who reclaim our streets. i welcome what the prime minister said and the different elements of how he announced. can he reassure us that the help provided will meet the need and there will not be an arbitrary cap if it turns out further resources are required? can he assure us these funds will flow straight away, so people can get on with rebuilding their lives and communities? on the deeper lesson we need to learn, the prime minister said in 2006 understanding the background, the reasons, the causes -- it does not mean excusing crime, but it will help to tackle it.

mr. speaker, to seek to explain is not to seek to excuse. of course these are acts of individual criminality. but we all have a duty to ask ourselves why there are people who feel they have nothing to lose and everything to gain from want and vandalism and looting? we cannot afford to let this pass, to come the situation down, only to find ourselves in the same position again in the future. this cannot be laid at the door of a single cause or government. the causes are complex. simplistic solutions will not provide the answer. but we can only tackle these solutions by hearing from our communities. the decent people i met on the streets of london and manchester told me they want their voice to be heard. they want us to go out and listen to them in thinking about the solutions that are necessary.

before saying we know all the answers or have simple solutions, we should all do so. can the prime minister explain how those in areas affected will have their voice heard as the government seeks to find solutions? will the prime minister agree there must be a full independent commission of inquiry, swoosh looking at what has happened in recent days and what lessons we need to learn? not an inquiry sitting in whitehall hearing from academic experts, but hearing from those affected, the majority affected by these terrifying events? they deserve to be heard. we need to look and act on all the issues that matter. irresponsibility we need from top to bottom in our society, including parental responsibility, and and to a take what you can culture that needs to change in the boardroom. we need to tackle the gang activity in our cities,

something we did know about before these riots. will the prime minister respond to the report that suggested last year what we would need? there are opportunities to get on in life that do not involve illegality and wrongdoing. only talk about responsibility, we must not forget ours, not to the minority who did the violence, but the vast majority of law-abiding young people. this is not about one government. this is the generation word about their prospects. we cannot afford to have the next generation believe they are going to do worse than the last. they should be able to do better. that is the promise of britain that they have a right to expect. let me say in conclusion successful societies are built on an ethic of hard work, solidarity, compassion, and looking out for one another.

we all bear a share of responsibility for what happens in our society. it is right that we came back to debate these issues. it is right that public order must be paramount. but it is also imperative that after order and normality are restored we do not ignore the lessons we must learn. we cannot afford to move on and forget. for all the people who have been through fear this week, for people who have lost loved ones, home, and businesses, we have a duty to ensure no repeat of what we have said. that is our responsibility to the victims and to the country. we on this side will play our part to make it happen. >> thank you, mr. speaker. can i think the gentleman for what he said today and what he has said in recent days.

and, can i say, the way in which he has said it. first of all, it is right to praise the emergency services for the work they have done. it is particularly remarkable that in spite of the fact that buyers have been started in cities across our country there have been no casualties from those fires. that speaks volumes about the professionalism and brilliance of our firefighters nationwide. he quite rightly says it is important that as soon as possible we get our high streets back to a sense of normality. first of all, that has to start with this increased police presence so people feel the confidence to go out and enjoy their towns and cities, so our cities become the great and bustling places we want them to be. we ask questions about police, courts, communities, and the

deeper lessons. on the police, what i said about the army, i chose my words carefully. none of us want to see a break away from the great british model of policing where the public are the police and the police of the public. but i do think governments have a responsibility to look ahead at contingencies and potential problems in advance. that is what cobra has done. simply asking if there were simple guarding tasks that could be done that would free up police former frontline duties. this is not for today or tomorrow, it is just so you have contingency plans in case it became necessary. about operational costs, the treasury reserve is being reused. this should be a matter for police chiefs. they want to assess the situation before making these decisions. as far as the government is concerned, they should feel free. the must restore order on our streets. once you take into account

there is a preset that helps fund the police, i believe that is totally achievable without any reductions invisible policing, and a growing number of police chiefs are making that point. we still have 7000 trained police officers in back-office jobs. we must free up police for front line duties. i make a clear plus to the house at the end of this process of making sure our police budgets are affordable we will still be able to surge as many police onto the streets as we have in recent days in london, in north hampton, in manchester. he asked about the court system and whether we are able to serve capacity in our magistrates and crown courts. magistrates and crown courts.